From the Liveblog of
Thursday, April 23, 2026
After protesters try to storm High Court, opposition leaders say government’s incitement leading to violence
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleSam Sokol is a former political correspondent at The Times of Israel. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid says the “rampage” at the High Court of Justice is the fault of the government’s rhetoric against the judicial system, after the justices are forced to briefly pause a hearing over petitions demanding a state commission of inquiry into October 7 when several people tried to enter the courtroom without permission.
“The rampage at the High Court is the result of incitement by the prime minister and his ministers against the Supreme Court. Their violent statements are endangering lives,” says Lapid. “Instead of encouraging these scenes, the government should have done one simple thing — establish a state commission of inquiry to investigate the massacre. They won’t do it [so] we will do it in the next government.”
The Democrats chairman Yair Golan likewise slams the government, stating that “Netanyahu and [Justice Minister] Yariv Levin’s severe incitement against the Supreme Court is leading to violence on the ground” and warning that they would be responsible for “any harm” to the justices.
The Times of Israel Community.